The 1Ds were standardized cargo vessels.
The design was standardized by the Ministry of Communications, with
assistance from the Navy Ministry, early in 1942, and was based on
uniform specifications adopted by several yards prior to the war. The 1Ds were not significantly
different from peacetime designs and were
intended for economical use after the war.

The ships used coal-fired
reciprocating engines and had two hatches located forward and aft of
the deckhouse.